title: Body condition is associated with a shorter breeding season and reduced ovulation rate in subtropical goats.
abstract: To determine the effect of body condition on the characteristics of the breeding season in female goats from subtropical Mexico, does in either greater- or lesser-body condition (n=20/group) were monitored for the expression of estrous behavior, ovulation and ovulation rate between June and April. The commencement of estrus and ovulation occurred earlier (P<0.05) in does in greater than lesser body condition. The cessation of estrus and ovulation was later (P<0.05) in female goats with greater than those with lesser body condition. Does in greater body condition had more (P<0.001) normal estrous cycles than those in lesser body condition. As consequence, does from the greater body condition group had fewer short (P<0.001) or long (P<0.05) estrous cycles than those of in the lesser body condition group. The ovulation rate was greater (P<0.01) in the greater (1.9+/-0.1) than lesser body condition does (1.6+/-0.1). In conclusion, female goats in lesser body condition have a shorter breeding season, more abnormal estrous cycles, and fewer ovulations than does in greater body condition.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Caprina, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Periférico Raúl López Sánchez y Carretera a Santa Fe, C.P. 27054 Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: De Santiago-Miramontes
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Malpaux
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Delgadillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight; D001947:Breeding; D002980:Climate; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors